AGP to move Centre over flood threat from Arunachal and Bhutan

India

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Published: Thursday, July 3, 2008, 0:02 [IST]

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Guwahati, Jul 2 (UNI) Main Opposition party in the Assembly the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today said it would move the Centre over the flood threat looming over the state owing to water released by dams in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.

''The recent flash floods in northern Assam districts of North Lakhimpur and Sonitpur and last year's devastating floods in lower Assam districts of Barpeta and Baksa have failed to awaken the state government to the urgency of the situation,'' AGP chief Brindabon Goswami told mediapersons here.

Eight persons had died and thousands affected by flash floods created by excess water released from Ranganadi power project in Arunachal Pradesh in northern Assam last month.

Mega dam projects in the neighbouring state and release of water by Bhutan has been creating havoc in the lower regions in Assam.

Pointing out that the Arunachal government has signed 164 MoUs for power projects in the state, Mr Goswami said, ''The entire districts of Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh and parts of Sonitpur would be submerged if water spills from these projects at any point of time.'' Leader of the Opposition Chandra Mohan Patowary said a similar fate awaited Barpeta and Baksa districts if Bhutan continued releasing its excess water without any forewarning.

Informing about his recent visit to Narayanguri embankment in Barpeta that was breached last year, Mr Patowary said it was yet to be repaired and a fresh flood this year would spell untold disaster for the district.

The AGP leaders alleged that the Congress-led state government had utterly failed to fulfil its responsibilities.

The party would approach the Centre for an immediate solution to this problem, they added.